Page 15 (1/2)

"Hi, Mr Tanaka," I reply, unsure of what else to say

"Hideo, please" There’s that smooth, subtle British accent of his He encloses his hand around mine and shakes it once, then looks at the others "Our lead producer for the chao of me to hold his hand out toward the woives lasses "Pleased to meet you, Miss Chen"

Hideo nods at the woman in the tee and blazer "My second-in-co officer"

Now I recognize her--I’ve seen her give plenty of Warcross-related announceives me a little bow of her head "Nice to rin I return the boell as I can

"And you’ve already been introduced to our creative director," Hideo finishes, tilting his head in Kenn’s direction "One of my former Oxford schoolmates"

"Not in person" Kenn hops out of his chair and is in front of orously Unlike Hideo’s, his expression is warh to heat a room in winter "Welcolances once at Hideo, and his grin tilts higher "It’s not every day that he flies someone halfway across the world for an interview"

Hideo raises an eyebrow at his friend "I flew you halfway across the world to join the coo Like I said--not every day" His smile returns to me

"Thanks," I decide to say, endary creators in ten seconds

The COO, Mari, turns to Hideo and asks hi in Japanese

"Go ahead without ain I realize that he hasn’t smiled since I walked in Maybe I really a to indulge in a chat"

A chat A one-on-one I feel the heat rising in h, and instead nods for me to follow him out of the room Behind us, the others return to their conversation Only Kenn aze as I look over ," he calls out cheerfully as the doors close

"So," Hideo says as we head down the hall to the main atrium, "your first time in Japan, isn’t it?"

I nod "It’s nice" Why does everything I say suddenly sound stupid?

More anddown to watch us as we pass "Thank you for co all this way," he says

"Thank you," I answer "I’ve been watching your career ever since the beginning, when you first hit it big This is a huge honor"

Hideo gives me a half-interested nod, and I realize hethat fro your week, but I hope your trip ell enough"

Is he serious? "That’s kind of an understate off my debts You didn’t have to do that"

Hideo waves a nonchalant hand "Don’t thank me Consider it a small advance payment Frankly, I’m surprised you were in debt at all Surely some tech company has noticed your skills by now"

A needle of irritation pricks uess six thousand dollars--to ht when you’re a billionaire "I have a couple of things onto keep the annoyance out ofthat serious, but I wasn’t allowed to touch a computer for two years" I decide to not mention my father’s death and my time in foster care

To my surprise, Hideo doesn’t press ood one when I see one You would’ve been discovered sooner or later" He giveslook "And, well, here you are"

He leads us around a corner and toward another set of sliding doors We enter an ehtone corner, a colorful swirl of stylized game levels Sleek couches are in another corner The doors slide closed behind us, and we’re alone

Hideo turns to me "I know you’ve seen yourself uess why you’re here?"